Network Pharmacology and Experimental Study of MomordicineⅠand MomordicineⅡfrom Bitter Melon Saponins in Inhibiting Fat Accumulation

Bitter melon(Momordica Charania L.),a member of the Cucurbitaceae family,is widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions.Saponin,an important functional component of bitter melon,has been proven to exert hypoglycemic effects similarly to insulin,and also possesses lipid-lowering properties inhibiting preadipocyte differentiation and fat synthesis^([1]).

An allelic variation in the promoter of the LRR-RLK gene,qSS6.1,is associated with melon seed size

Seed size is an important agronomic trait in melons that directly affects seed germination and subsequent seedling growth.However,the genetic mechanism underlying seed size in melon remains unclear.In the present study,we employed Bulked-Segregant Analysis sequencing(BSA-seq)to identify a candidate region(~1.35 Mb)on chromosome 6 that corresponds to seed size.This interval was confirmed by QTL mapping of three seed size-related traits from an F2 population across three environments.This mapping region represented nine QTLs that shared an overlapping region on chromosome 6,collectively referred to as qSS6.1.New InDel markers were developed in the qSS6.1 region,narrowing it down to a 68.35 kb interval that contains eight annotated genes.Sequence variation analysis of the eight genes identified a SNP with a C to T transition mutation in the promoter region of MELO3C014002,a leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinase(LRR-RLK)gene.This mutation affected the promoter activity of the MELO3C014002 gene and was successfully used to differentiate the large-seeded accessions(C-allele)from the small-seeded accessions(T-allele).qRT-PCR revealed differential expression of MELO3C014002 between the two parental lines.Its predicted protein has typical LRR-RLK family domains,and phylogenetic analyses reveled its similarity with the homologs in several plant species.Altogether,these findings suggest MELO3C014002 as the most likely candidate gene involved in melon seed size regulation.Our results will be helpful for better understanding the genetic mechanism regulating seed size in melons and for genetically improving this important trait through molecular breeding pathways.

Thick-skinned Contractional Salt Structures in the Kuqa Depression,the Northern Tarim Basin:Constraints from Physical Experiments

Thick-skinned contractional salt structures are widely developed in the western Kuqa depression, northern Tarim basin. To understand the mechanisms that govern the development of these structures, physical experiments are conducted and the results show that they are largely governed by the activities of basement faults and the forming of paleo-uplifts and basement slopes. The model materials in this study are dry sand, vaseline and plasticene （or hard foam）, simulating the suprasalt, salt, and subsalt layers respectively. The experiments show that, due to the activities of basement faults and the forming of the paleo-uplifts, salt bodies usually accumulate and thicken significantly on the middle top of the paleo-uplifts which are constrained by the pre-exiting boundary faults. The development of large-scale thrust faults and salt nappes is favored by the basement slops with larger dips. The experiments also conclude that differential structural deformation could occur between the subsalt and suprasalt layers because of the presence of salt layers. Their geometries and the locations of structural highs are different, despite of the great similarities in the uplifted areas. The pierced salt diapir is not observed in the experiments, which indicates that the contractional shortening does not effectively accelerate the development of the salt diapir.

Characterization and discrimination of fermented sweet melon juice by different microbial strains via GC-IMS-based volatile profiling and chemometrics

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different lactic acid bacteria and yeast strains on the volatile composition of fermented sweet melon juice.Headspace gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry(HS-GC-IMS)coupled with chemometrics was performed to identify the potential volatiles for the discrimination of different fermented sweet melon juice.In total,70 volatile compounds were found in the fermented sweet melon juices.Of them,45 compounds were annotated according to the GC-IMS database and classified into esters,alcohols,aldehydes,ketones and furans.Results from the multivariate analysis reveal that sweet melon juice fermented by different combinations of microbial strains could be distinctly separated from each other.A total of 15 volatiles with both variable importance in projection value>1 and P<0.05 were determined as potential markers for the discrimination of fermented sweet melon juice.This study confirms the effect of microorganisms on the flavor of the fermented sweet melon juice and shows the potential of HS-GC-IMS combined with chemometrics as a powerful strategy to obtain volatile fingerprints of different fermented sweet melon juice.

Heterosis of Vine Decline Disease Resistance Caused by the Fungus Monosporascus cannonballus in Melons (Cucumis melo L)

Vine decline disease (VDD) constitutes a menace to melons worldwide. Especially, the one caused by the fungus Monosporascus cannonballus. Thus, resistant plant material must be released to help growers. Hence, our goal was to develop resistant plant material to VDD. More than 600 melon accessions are expected to be tested for disease resistance in M. cannonballus infested soil in Weslaco, Texas, USA, to identify resistance to VDD, and other important traits. So far, at most 7 lines were found to be resistant to VDD and some of them were used to develop elite, muskmelon inbred lines by pedigree breeding following single or double backcrosses. These elite parents were crossed to each other to develop the hybrids M3 and M4. They were also tested in the same infested field in Weslaco. The hybrids were grown using standard commercial practices followed by growers and when their fruits were ready, their roots were sampled as well as scored for disease severity to estimate high and mid-parent heterosis Our results indicate the existence of heterosis regarding resistance to VDD. Thus, resistant plant material can be developed and selection for resistance can be accomplished.

The Study of Allelochemicals of the Melon Fly (Myiopardalis pardalina Bigot.)

This study describes the isolation, identification of allelochemicals of the melon fly (Myiopardalis pardalina Bigot.), using the GC-MS method. A food attractant has been identified and a method for the synthesis of its synthetic analogue has been developed. Also, a route for the synthesis of para pheromone, raspberry ketone, has been proposed.

QTL Analysis of Traits Related to Melon Stigma and Ovary Size

The melon varieties MR-1 and M4-7 were used as the parent materials to produce hybrids.A total of 170 F2 individuals were used as the mapping population to construct a genetic linkage map.In this study,240 cleaved amplified polymorphism sequence(CAPS)molecular markers were developed,and 105 of which showed polymorphism between parents.The map contained 105 markers grouped into 12 linkage groups,spanning a total length of 1998.85 cM,with an average length of 19.04 cM between markers.The composite interval mapping(CIM)method was used to detect QTLs related with melon stigma and ovary traits:stigma longitudinal diameter(STLD),stigma transverse diameter(STTD),stigma weight(STW),ovary longitudinal diameter(OLD),and ovary transverse diameter(OTD).A total of nine QTLs were identified:six for stigma size and three for ovary size.A total of six loci were detected for stigma size,which included two loci for stigma longitudinal diameter,two loci for stigma transverse diameter,and two loci for stigma weight.The major effective locus regulating stigma transverse diameter was qSTTD-9-1.A total of three loci were identified for ovary size traits,including one locus for ovary longitudinal diameter and two loci for ovary transverse diameter.

SLAF marker based QTL mapping of fruit-related traits reveals a major-effect candidate locus ff2.1 for flesh firmness in melon

Flesh firmness(FF) is an important and complex trait for melon breeders and consumers. However, the genetic mechanism underlying FF is unclear. Here, a soft fruit melon(P5) and a hard fruit melon(P10) were crossed to generate F2, and the FF and fruit-related traits were recorded for two years. By performing quantitative trait locus(QTL) specificlocus amplified fragment(SLAF)(QTL-SLAF) sequencing and molecular marker-linkage analysis, 112 844 SLAF markers were identified, and 5 919 SNPs were used to construct a genetic linkage map with a total genetic distance of1 356.49 cM. Ten FF-and fruit-related QTLs were identified. Consistent QTLs were detected for fruit length(FL) and fruit diameter(FD) in both years, and QTLs for single fruit weight(SFW) were detected on two separate chromosomes in both years. For FF, the consistent major locus(ff2.1) was located in a 0.17-Mb candidate region on chromosome 2. Using 429 F2individuals derived from a cross between P5 and P10, we refined the ff2.1 locus to a 28.3-kb region harboring three functional genes. These results provide not only a new candidate QTL for melon FF breeding but also a theoretical foundation for research on the mechanism underlying melon gene function.

Effects of Meteorological Conditions on Yield and Quality of Facility Hami Melon

With different varieties of facility Hami melon(Cucumis melo var. sacchairinus) as test materials, the effects of meteorological conditions on the yield and quality of different varieties of facility Hami melon were analyzed. The results showed that among the yield and quality traits of melon, the variation degree of average single melon weight was the highest, and the coefficient of variation was 33.05%. The variation degree of leaf area index was the lowest, and the coefficient of variation was 11.00%. Through the correlation analysis of meteorological factors with the yield and quality of facility Hami melon, it was found that the quality traits of facility Hami melon were significantly positively correlated with maximum temperature and sunshine duration, and significantly negatively correlated with precipitation. The yield traits were positively correlated with maximum temperature, sunshine duration and precipitation.

CT三维重建在桡骨远端骨折Melone分型及术后效果评估中的价值研究

目的 探讨分析在桡骨远端骨折Melone分型及其术后效果评估中CT三维重建的应用价值研究。方法 选取2020年6月至2022年6月收治的58例桡骨远端骨折患者作为研究对象,所有患者治疗前均进行X线及CT检查,以术中探查诊断结果为“金标准”。比较两种检查方式在桡骨远端骨折Melone分型中的诊断阳性率,不同分型中的解剖复位、内固定置入质量及治疗后3个月时的腕关节功能评分。结果 CT三维重建在桡骨远端骨折Melon分型中的诊断阳性率为91.38%显著高于X线检查的72.41%(P<0.05)。术后效果评估通过观察解剖复位及内固定置入质量的检出率,CT三维重建在各分型的检出率均显著高于X线(P<0.05)。术后3个月时,CT三维重建在腕关节功能评分优、良的检出率高于X线(P<0.05),而在可、差检出率比较无差异(P>0.05)。结论 CT三维重建在桡骨远端骨折Melone分型、术后解剖复位质量及内固定置入质量中具有较高的诊断准确率,同时,桡骨远端骨折患者术后腕关节功能与影像学的评估中,CT三维重建对腕关节功能的敏感性更强,更加能够准确的评估。

Exploring the mechanism of action bitter melon in the treatment ofbreast cancer by network pharmacology

BACKGROUND Bitter melon has been used to stop the growth of breast cancer(BRCA)cells.However,the underlying mechanism is still unclear.AIM To predict the therapeutic effect of bitter melon against BRCA using network pharmacology and to explore the underlying pharmacological mechanisms.METHODS The active ingredients of bitter melon and the related protein targets were taken from the Indian Medicinal Plants,Phytochemistry and Therapeutics and SuperPred databases,respectively.The GeneCards database has been searched for BRCA-related targets.Through an intersection of the drug’s targets and the disease’s objectives,prospective bitter melon anti-BRCA targets were discovered.Gene ontology and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment analyses were carried out to comprehend the biological roles of the target proteins.The binding relationship between bitter melon’s active ingredients and the suggested target proteins was verified using molecular docking techniques.RESULTS Three key substances,momordicoside K,kaempferol,and quercetin,were identified as being important in mediating the putative anti-BRCA effects of bitter melon through the active ingredient-anti-BRCA target network study.Heat shock protein 90 AA,proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase,and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 were found to be the top three proteins in the proteinprotein interaction network study.The several pathways implicated in the anti-BRCA strategy for an active component include phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling,transcriptional dysregulation,axon guidance,calcium signaling,focal adhesion,janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling,cyclic adenosine monophosphate signaling,mammalian CONCLUSION Overall,the integration of network pharmacology,molecular docking,and functional enrichment analyses shed light on potential mechanisms underlying bitter melon’s ability to fight BRCA,implicating active ingredients and protein targets,as well as highlighting the major signaling pathways that may be altered by this natural product for therapeutic benefit.

Intellectual Property Protection and High-Quality Development of Xinjiang Melons under the Big Food Concept

The development of diversified foods such as melons under the big food concept can reduce the pressure on staple food grain.Xinjiang has the advantages of building a new development pattern of dual circulation of diversified food industry and establishing a national diversified food safety and high-quality assurance center.The construction of an agricultural power needs the strategic support of an intellectual property power.This paper introduced and studied Xinjiang s melon industry and its agricultural intellectual property resources,analyzed the six main problems,including many idle land resources have not been developed into melon fields and the role of melons in diversified food supply systems not well played.Finally,it proposed to vigorously develop diversified food industries such as melons in Xinjiang and establish an eight-point strategy such as national diversified food safety and high-quality assurance center.

减施化肥增施蚯蚓粪有机肥对连作甜瓜的影响

【目的】研究减施化肥增施蚯蚓粪有机肥对连作甜瓜产量及品质的影响,为甜瓜生产中减施化肥增效提供基础数据。【方法】以甜瓜品种黄梦脆为材料,在优化施肥基础上配施4个蚯蚓粪有机肥梯度处理,研究减施化肥增施蚯蚓粪有机肥对连作甜瓜生理、光合特性、产量、品质和线虫根结数量的影响。【结果】相较于常规施肥,T_(2)处理的蔓长、蔓鲜重、蔓干重、根鲜重、根干重较对照分别增加了26.3%、39.9%、23.5%、80.6%和53.3%;光合指标T_(2)处理的净光合速率、气孔导度和蒸腾速率较对照分别提升了38.6%、45.4%和66.1%,与对照差异显著;甜瓜品质关键指标在T_(2)处理下达到最大,与对照差异显著。【结论】T_(2)处理(蚯蚓粪有机肥300 kg/667m^(2)+复合肥50 kg/667m^(2))综合表现最佳,可作为连作甜瓜施肥。

不同砧木嫁接对金冠王甜瓜生长及品质的影响

以薄皮甜瓜金冠王为接穗,强势、伊丽莎白、勇士和强力为砧木进行嫁接,自根苗作为对照(CK),调查嫁接后甜瓜植株生长、果实产量及品质等指标并进行比较分析,采用主成分分析法进行综合评价,以期筛选出适宜薄皮甜瓜金冠王嫁接的砧木品种。各项指标调查与分析结果表明,勇士嫁接苗的株高、子蔓数和节间数显著高于自根苗,与CK相比,强势嫁接苗单果质量显著升高46.65%,强势、伊丽莎白和勇士嫁接苗每667 m^(2)产量分别显著提高24.54%、10.36%、19.96%,强势、勇士、强力嫁接苗的维生素C含量分别显著升高44.48%、82.23%、89.25%。主成分分析结果表明,强势和勇士2个砧木的嫁接苗表现最好,适宜作为金冠王的嫁接砧木。

分枝列当寄生甜瓜时吸器形成过程中内源激素的动态变化

本研究采用石蜡切片和显微观察分析分枝列当寄生甜瓜时的吸器形成过程,利用液相色谱-质谱联用(LC-MS)检测吸器形成过程中24种植物内源激素变化。结果表明:分枝列当种子在接种甜瓜根部第3天开始萌发,接种第7天分枝列当吸器顶端稳固地附着在寄主根部,吸器侵入甜瓜根皮层,并在甜瓜根皮层细胞内扩展,扩展过程中形成大量的爪状结构,接种第11天时分枝列当吸器细胞与寄主根维管束连接。共有17种植物激素参与了吸器形成过程,其中生长素类吲哚-3-甲醛含量在列当吸器形成过程中降低了83.36%,细胞分裂素类反式玉米素核苷的含量在增长了5.02倍;油菜素内酯含量增长了481.95倍,推测这3类植物激素在分枝列当吸器形成过程中可能起到重要的调控作用。

薄皮甜瓜新品种“蜜脆9号”的选育

“蜜脆9号”是以‘HC3’作母本,‘PI6’作父本杂交育成的优质抗病丰产薄皮甜瓜新品种。植株长势强健,果实直筒形,平均单果质量500~550 g,果面灰白覆有墨绿条带,果肉绿色,中心可溶性固形物含量14%~16%,耐贮运。全生育期103~108 d,果实发育期30~35 d,抗病、抗逆性较强。适于陕西、河北、山东、内蒙古等地区保护地栽培。

不同套袋时间对甜瓜果实外观及品质的影响

以甜瓜18X-9和W4-3为试材,研究授粉后10 d和授粉后20 d两个套袋时间对甜瓜果实基础性状、质构特性和营养品质的影响,初步筛选甜瓜套袋的适宜时间,明确套袋对甜瓜果实外观和内在品质的影响。结果表明:套袋处理对2个甜瓜材料的果形指数影响不显著,授粉后10 d套袋处理的18X-9果肉厚度、可溶性固形物含量和单果重均高于对照,而授粉后20 d套袋的18X-9果肉厚度、可溶性固形物含量和单果重均显著低于对照。授粉后10 d套袋的W4-3果肉厚度和可溶性固形物含量显著高于其他2个处理,授粉后20 d套袋处理的W4-3除单果重外,果肉厚度和可溶性固形物含量均高于对照。套袋可以显著降低甜瓜的果肉硬度,对果皮硬度的影响较小;果实脆性显著增加,且授粉后10 d套袋效果最佳。授粉后10 d套袋处理的18X-9各品质指标均显著提高,其中,蔗糖和类黄酮含量增加最为显著;授粉后20 d套袋处理的18X-9除果糖和总酚外,其他品质指标值均高于对照。W4-3的2个套袋处理的果实品质均好于对照,其中授粉后10 d套袋对W4-3甜瓜果实品质提升的效果显著好于授粉后20 d套袋。可见,套袋处理对W4-3品质的促进作用好于18X-9,授粉后10 d套袋的效果最佳。

厚皮网纹甜瓜“甜网168”的选育

“甜网168”是以“YW18”为母本、“YW203”为父本杂交选育的中早熟杂交1代厚皮甜瓜新品种,该品种适宜河南、山东、安徽、海南等地区早春大棚或保护地栽培。春季生育期123 d,果实成熟天数46 d。植株生长势强,易坐果,一致性好。果实圆形,果形指数1.0,平均单果质量1.83 kg,密网纹,果肉绿色,肉质细软,果肉厚4.0 cm,中心可溶性固形物含量约18.6%。每667 m^(2)平均产量为3659.7~3820.3 kg。2023年通过农业农村部非主要农作物品种登记,登记号为GPD甜瓜(2023)410005。

不同砧木嫁接对薄皮甜瓜抗性·品质及产量的影响

为研究不同类型砧木嫁接对薄皮甜瓜的影响,分别采用南瓜砧(日本雪松)、厚皮甜瓜砧(甬砧9号)、薄皮甜瓜砧(绿皮梨瓜自交系63号)作砧木嫁接薄皮甜瓜自交系,研究不同类型砧木嫁接对薄皮甜瓜抗逆性、品质和产量的影响。结果表明,南瓜砧(日本雪松)嫁接苗的耐湿性和抗病性较好,果实可溶性固形物含量为14.30%,果实口感差,成熟后易产生发酵果;厚皮甜瓜砧(甬砧9号)嫁接保湿期砧木易腐烂,成活后抗病性较好,可溶性固形物含量为15.10%,产量最高,为41 950.5 kg/hm^(2);薄皮甜瓜砧耐湿性好,枯萎病抗性较差,可溶性固形物含量为15.30%,且果实肉质变细嫩,风味好,但产量最低。

生态因子对薄皮甜瓜主要性状的影响

通过6个甜瓜品种在海南露地栽培、吉林露地和大棚栽培模式对比分析,测定叶纵径、叶横径、叶面积、单果重、可溶性固形物和果肉厚度等指标。结果显示,海南露地栽培的甜瓜叶片纵径、叶片横径、叶柄长、叶面积、果肉厚度及单瓜重均小于北方大棚和露地种植,而可溶性固形物相反,品种之间也具有一定差异,其中DG-2014-93、MX10表现较好。表明甜瓜的果肉厚度、可溶性固形物、单果重和叶面积等主要性状受品种遗传和生态环境的影响非常大,这为今后甜瓜品种的跨区引种提供一定的理论依据。